• Dignitaries and citizens attend the 45th UAE National Day celebrations held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre in 2016. Photo: Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
    Dignitaries and citizens attend the 45th UAE National Day celebrations held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre in 2016. Photo: Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
  • Fireworks at La Mer in Dubai mark the UAE's 48th National Day in 2019. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Fireworks at La Mer in Dubai mark the UAE's 48th National Day in 2019. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Visitors flock to Ras Al Khaimah's Eid Al Adha fair at RAK Exhibition Centre in 2019. Reem Mohammed / The National
    Visitors flock to Ras Al Khaimah's Eid Al Adha fair at RAK Exhibition Centre in 2019. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • Shoppers head to Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, on the first day of Eid, in May 2020. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Shoppers head to Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, on the first day of Eid, in May 2020. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Beachgoers at Kite Beach in Dubai, during the Eid Al Adha public holiday in August 2020. Reem Mohammed / The National
    Beachgoers at Kite Beach in Dubai, during the Eid Al Adha public holiday in August 2020. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • Rollerbladers at Masdar Park in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, during the Eid Al Fitr break in May 2020. Victor Besa / The National
    Rollerbladers at Masdar Park in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, during the Eid Al Fitr break in May 2020. Victor Besa / The National
  • Festive lights illuminate the Corniche in Abu Dhabi to celebrate Eid Al Adha. Victor Besa / The National
    Festive lights illuminate the Corniche in Abu Dhabi to celebrate Eid Al Adha. Victor Besa / The National
  • Shoppers at Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi, on the last day of Eid Al Adha, in August 2020. Victor Besa /The National
    Shoppers at Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi, on the last day of Eid Al Adha, in August 2020. Victor Besa /The National
  • Decorative lights illuminate the Corniche in Abu Dhabi to celebrate Hijri New Year, in August 2020. Victor Besa / The National
    Decorative lights illuminate the Corniche in Abu Dhabi to celebrate Hijri New Year, in August 2020. Victor Besa / The National

UAE

How many public holidays are left in 2023?

Residents are set for a long weekend next week to mark the Prophet Mohammed's Birthday

The National

September 19, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

Public and private sector workers will be granted a long weekend at the end of the month as the nation observes the Prophet Mohammed's birthday.

UAE authorities announced on Monday that employees will be given paid leave to mark the occasion on Friday, September 29.

The UAE Cabinet confirmed holiday dates for both the public and private sectors for 2023 towards the end of last year.

The list shows there is only one more public holiday to come after this month's break, in the form of the country's 52nd National Day celebrations in December.

The government announced in 2019 that private sector employees would have the same number of holidays as government staff.

The UAE Cabinet previously confirmed a two-day break for National Day, on Saturday, December 2 and Sunday, December 3.

This could be another long weekend, however, with the public holiday for Commemoration Day usually observed on December 1.

The day officially falls on November 30, but has been marked with a public holiday on the following day in recent years.

It has not been officially confirmed if this will be the case this year.

Commemoration Day, introduced by the late President Sheikh Khalifa in 2015, is held every year to recognise the dedication and sacrifices of the UAE’s military and civilian service people, and to honour those who lost their lives while serving the country.

  • A girl dances to traditional Emirati music by Al Mazyood Band at a National Day event at Mohammed bin Rashid Library, next to Dubai Creek. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    A girl dances to traditional Emirati music by Al Mazyood Band at a National Day event at Mohammed bin Rashid Library, next to Dubai Creek. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Boys are tutored in traditional Emirati music and dance by Al Mazyood Band
    Boys are tutored in traditional Emirati music and dance by Al Mazyood Band
  • A Dubai Police dog in a demonstration
    A Dubai Police dog in a demonstration
  • A young ceramic artist tries her hand at traditional Emirati crafts
    A young ceramic artist tries her hand at traditional Emirati crafts
  • A traditional grocery counter recreated at Mohammed bin Rashid Library
    A traditional grocery counter recreated at Mohammed bin Rashid Library
  • Citizens and residents are encouraged to come together to celebrate 51 years since the founding of the UAE
    Citizens and residents are encouraged to come together to celebrate 51 years since the founding of the UAE
  • A young dollmaker practises her skills
    A young dollmaker practises her skills
  • A pottery colouring workshop helps keep traditional crafts alive
    A pottery colouring workshop helps keep traditional crafts alive
  • Children meet a police dog and its handler at the library event
    Children meet a police dog and its handler at the library event
  • A doll-making workshop as part of National Day celebrations at the library
    A doll-making workshop as part of National Day celebrations at the library
  • A library visitor and a police dog make friends at the event
    A library visitor and a police dog make friends at the event
  • Traditional items on display
    Traditional items on display
  • A young dancer at the event
    A young dancer at the event
  • A traditional grocery counter recreates old Emirati culture outside of the library, which contains about 400,000 volumes
    A traditional grocery counter recreates old Emirati culture outside of the library, which contains about 400,000 volumes
  • Young library visitors sample a taste of Emirati tradition
    Young library visitors sample a taste of Emirati tradition
  • Visitors could also quite literally sample a taste of Emirati tradition at the cooking stall
    Visitors could also quite literally sample a taste of Emirati tradition at the cooking stall
  • A visitor take photos against a backdrop of UAE flags
    A visitor take photos against a backdrop of UAE flags
  • A young ceramic artist at work
    A young ceramic artist at work

Confirmed holiday dates to come for 2023

September 29: Prophet Mohammed’s birthday

December 2 and 3: UAE National Day

The specs: 2018 Jaguar E-Pace First Edition

Price, base / as tested: Dh186,480 / Dh252,735

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder

Power: 246hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 365Nm @ 1,200rpm

Transmission: Nine-speed automatic

Fuel consumption, combined: 7.7L / 100km

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Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters

The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.

 Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.

A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.

The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.

The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.

Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.

Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment

But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.

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Cricket World Cup League Two

Oman, UAE, Namibia

Al Amerat, Muscat

 

Results

Oman beat UAE by five wickets

UAE beat Namibia by eight runs

 

Fixtures

Wednesday January 8 –Oman v Namibia

Thursday January 9 – Oman v UAE

Saturday January 11 – UAE v Namibia

Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia

The%20specs
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
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Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
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How much of your income do you need to save?

The more you save, the sooner you can retire. Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.com, says if you save just 5 per cent of your salary, you can expect to work for another 66 years before you are able to retire without too large a drop in income.

In other words, you will not save enough to retire comfortably. If you save 15 per cent, you can forward to another 43 working years. Up that to 40 per cent of your income, and your remaining working life drops to just 22 years. (see table)

Obviously, this is only a rough guide. How much you save will depend on variables, not least your salary and how much you already have in your pension pot. But it shows what you need to do to achieve financial independence.

 

Electric scooters: some rules to remember
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Updated: September 19, 2023, 5:32 AM
UAEHolidaysEid Al Adha 2025